An elderberry is a small, dark purple berry that grows in clusters on elder bushes and trees. These berries have been used for thousands of years to make medicines, syrups, jams, and even wine. Native Americans and European settlers valued elderberries for their tart flavor and believed they helped fight colds and flu.

The berries themselves are too sour and astringent to eat raw off the bush, and uncooked elderberries can actually make you sick. But when cooked properly, they transform into delicious syrups and preserves. Many families today still make elderberry syrup each fall, simmering the berries with honey and spices to create a sweet, tangy remedy they take when feeling under the weather.

Elder bushes grow wild across North America and Europe, often near streams and in meadows. In early summer, they produce beautiful white flower clusters called elderflowers, which can be made into tea or cordial. By late summer, these flowers become the dark berries. If you ever go foraging for elderberries, make sure an experienced adult identifies them correctly, since some similar-looking berries are poisonous.